Richard Chai Pared It Down on His Love Runway, But Still Has Prints in the Showroom for Spring 2011

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Richard Chai Pared It Down on His Love Runway, But Still Has Prints in the Showroom for Spring 2011

>> Richard Chai is a master at layering, and making clothing that appears layered: for Spring 2011, he mashed his primarily neutral collection up with bandeau bras, sheer "body stocking" slouchy leggings, knit "cummerbunds" at the waist, and even did dresses over pants — which Joe Zee Tweeted he was into.

Although Chai's signature prints and embroideries were nowhere to be seen, he didn't drop them altogether. They were just hiding out in the showroom: "All the prints, the embellishment, the embroidery, all of those things are still in the collection. But what I'm showing on the runway is not that." He added: "It’s just a cleaned-up, stripped-down aesthetic."

Chai loves to pair flats with his Love collection — last season it was Timberland boots, and this season, every model was in metallic or black brogues made in collaboration with New York-based label Heutchy. And there was the requisite Phillip Lim sighting — the designer was, as usual, front row: "I'm only making it out to Richard's shows in terms of catching other shows. I always just do Richard’s. He is my dear friend, so I move mountains to try and get here!"